Who kicks up the dust? Mostly,it’s elected representatives who don’t appreciate that when they take their seat in local,state or federal chambers,they also enter into a relationship with non-partisan institutions,like ICAC.
Many would have heard former NSW Liberal minister Pru Goward’s comments on ABC TV’sThe Drum and on ABC Radio National days after Berejiklian’s announcement. Goward had worked closely with Berejiklian and defended her use of ministerial discretion to approve public funding.
According to Goward:“The public understands that as long as the money is not going to somebody’s back pocket,not funding wonderful meals and holidays,but it’s actually going to a deserving community group” that it’s not financial mismanagement,rather “it’s making decisions,which is what we expect elected governments to do”.
Berejiklian has also defended herself,saying:“History will demonstrate that I have always executed my duties with the highest degree of integrity for the benefit of the people of NSW.”
I meet with members of the public,from new voters to retirees,and they aren’t quite as understanding as Goward thinks. They speak plainly about their anger with ministers who circumvent rules set by public servants. I was struck by how demoralised workshop participants were by then-premier Berejiklian’s admission to pork barrelling and her justification:“It’s not an illegal practice. It does happen from time to time in every government.” The voters I listen to don’t agree,and they want it to stop.
Goward went on to recall when,during her time as minister,backbencher Daryl Maguire approached her for funding. Maguire’s argument was straightforward. According to Goward,he said:“You all think because I’m in a safe seat I don’t need any money,but my people matter as much as your people. The marginal seats get all the money and we don’t get anything.” Goward’s response? “And you know,he had a bit of a point really.”
In the lead-up to the past two federal and the most recent NSW election,I met with voters who told me they don’t want “all the money” going to marginal electorates either. They expect ministers and MPs to make deeply considered,democratic decisions for our collective,long-term benefit. Which is why we have ICAC – to prevent breaches of public trust and to guide the conduct of NSW public officials,although the current investigation relates to grants where Berejiklian’s decisions may have been affected by her personal relationship with Maguire,not to the practice of pork barrelling more generally.